The US-Israel-Iran War: Winners and Losers So Far.

Published: Tue, 03/31/26

Updated: Tue, 03/31/26

"Then the Lord said: “I am making a covenant with you. Before all your people I will do wonders never before done in any nation in all the world. The people you live among will see how awesome is the work that I, the Lord, will do for you."

Exodus 34:10

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Hi friend,

This coming Shabbat's Torah portion, read on Saturday, April 4th, is Passover Torah Reading. On the FIRST DAY OF PASSOVER we read from the book of Exodus (12:21-51) of the bringing of the Passover Offering in Egypt, the Plague of the Firstborn at the stroke of midnight, and how “On this very day, G‑d took the Children of Israel out of Egypt.”

Join us in exploring the Weekly Bible Chapter: The Law Becomes Paramount by Josh Blecher with Rabbi Avraham Norin, and let’s learn and reflect together!

Please enjoy this teaching of our beloved Root Source teacher, Rabbi Adin Steinsaltz of blessed memory, about this week's Torah portion, Shabbath Hagadol, and share your thoughts with us!

Last week, our popular Root Source teacher Rabbi Gedalia Meyer talked about Tzav. Watch it below.

Participate in our enlightening lesson Teacher Seth Young talked about The US-Israel-Iran War: Winners and Losers So Far. Watch it below.

Check below to hear what Gidon Ariel and Richard Booker have to share. Watch it below.

We sign off with a nice comment and a beautiful photo of Haifa, Israel.

Shalom,

Gidon Ariel and Bob O’Dell
Root Source Founders

Passover Torah Reading

This week’s reading, Passover Torah Readings, recalls the Exodus, including the first Passover offering, the splitting of the sea, and the mitzvot of matzah, tefillin, and telling the Exodus story. It also outlines the Jewish festivals, the Omer count, pilgrimage laws, and ends with a vision of future redemption.

Weekly Bible Chapter: The Law Becomes Paramount by Josh Blecher

The book of Numbers ends in a seemingly very odd way with the continuation of the very personal story of the ‘Zelophehad sisters.’ The rest of the tribe comes to Moses to complain about God’s decree that the daughters of Zelophehad are granted their father’s inheritance. They are afraid that that may allow their tribal lands to be diluted. The story does bring up a main theme of the book, namely, the delineation of the borders in the new land. That is the essence of the argument. But the ultimate argument is very technical. Why would a book that covers 38 years of history with a devastating decree, personal tragedies for Moses, and mass death matched with grandiose planning for the entry in the land end like this?

Shabbath Hagadol:

From Egypt to the Redemption: The Logic of Shabbat HaGadol

Shabbat HaGadol, the Great Shabbat, arrives each year on the Shabbat before Pesach, carrying with it a name whose meaning has never been entirely settled. Some say it is great because of the festival that follows, whose holiness casts its shadow backward across the week. Others say the greatness belongs to the rabbi’s derasha, delivered from the pulpit on this day as a kind of final preparation before the Seder. A few, with quiet humor, suggest the greatness refers simply to the length of that derasha, which makes the day feel considerably longer than any ordinary Shabbat.

Learn here

Tzav:
Rabbi Gedalia Meyer's Weekly Torah Study

Defiance! Is it a good quality or a bad quality? The answer is both. It is good when your cause is just. It is bad when it is not. Just ask Pharaoh.

Learn here!

The US-Israel-Iran War: Winners and Losers So Far

Teacher Seth Young described what it is like living under the constant threat of missile attacks, offering a perspective that may surprise many. He also explained why Iran poses an imminent and potentially existential threat to the United States, suggesting deeper reasons behind America’s current involvement in the conflict. Finally, he provided a breakdown of the major players and observers in the ongoing fighting, assessing who is gaining or losing ground and who is likely to come out ahead, emphasizing that this conflict could become a major turning point for regional and global security.

Watch here

Conversations:
Gidon Ariel and Richard Booker - April 14, 2025

Gidon and Richard discussed Gidon’s recent Passover and his daughter’s wedding, including Sheva Brachot traditions and a family Seder with 20 attendees. They shared experiences from interfaith Seders and noted the growing Christian interest in Hebraic roots. Gidon offered to help Richard with print-on-demand for his books.

Watch the video

Comments

We get so many comments!
Here is one from Mary, has a comment on the Why Rabbi Tuly keep saying the Jewish holidays again instead of biblical holidays?

"Hi. I really like the way you explain the reasons for the way the Jewish people express their love for G_d in every thing they do for the holidays and what they believe. I have learned so much by listening to different Rabbis when they teach. There is so much to be learned and so much wisdom to gain."

Haifa, Israel

Enjoy this photo of Haifa, Israel by Maria Lupan.

Blessings and Shalom,
Bob and Gidon

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